Every day we have a choice. We can support an up and coming podcaster, try a new family-run restaurant, join a boutique gym started by a local fitness champ or we could keep giving away our money to the handful of giants who already control so much of our commerce. Our daily decisions impact the kind world we live in; if we want a world where small businesses are growing and artists and creatives are thriving then we should support them with our time, money and attention. We’re proud to highlight inspiring creatives and entrepreneurs each week in Hidden Gems series. Check out some of Irving ’s gems below.
Lauren Faria
Lauren Faria, Flower Mound High School rising senior, captured the title of Miss Southeast Texas Outstanding Teen 2020. She is a squad leader and member of the nationally-ranked 6A marching band and the Air Force JROTC where she is Recruitment Commander. She’s also a NASA High School Aerospace Scholar (HAS), received a day of proclamation from the mayor, and is on the Teen Council Advisory Board – Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Read more>>
Jealena and Victor Jackson
Just Expressin Art is exactly what our name states. A company that creates art in multiple forms. We specialize in oil and acrylic original canvas paintings as well as capturing life events through photography. The versatility in our craft and in our business is what defines our brand. I, Jackson, grew up in Dallas, TX in an environment cultivated in music, art, books, photography, and various outdoor experiences. My father was a photographer and had a photojournalism major. Read more>>
Javon Rhodes
My business started simply based off of my work ethic. At the time I started my business I was working three jobs and never had any free time. I was okay with that because sometimes that’s what it takes to be successful. Mungry is not about being greedy for things but to have a drive to want more in life. I started the business with just an idea and a 9-5 job now fast forward to 2020, I have made about 500 items all by me. Read more>>
Louis Paige
My story is fairly unique I was always the type of person to always give out a helping hand always! If I had it, you have it! So for me, how I started personal training is when I hurt my back while working a pretty much hard labor job. So I was out on leave for a couple of months due to my back injury. So I started doing a lot of therapy to try to get my back stronger. Read more>>
Ayesha Patel
Last year I graduated college with a degree in business marketing and no idea what I wanted to do. I was doing what a new graduate was supposed to be doing – interviewing for entry-level desk jobs and hoping to find something stable and relatively interesting. A little after graduation, I created a cheese spread for a friend’s graduation party and I had never felt more lively than I did at that moment. Read more>>
Tinesha Darrough and Catrina Wofford
8586 Stitched was founded by two women who love home decor. Our story started back in 2018 while at our corporate job. We gave ourselves a deadline to find us a side hustle and started brainstorming. Catrina took a sewing class and the idea of custom decorative pillows was born. March 6, 2019 was the launch of our business and we sold out the first week. At that point, we knew that we had something special. Read more>>
Lauryn McCollum
Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of being a star. I would sing and act out monologues on my grandma’s porch and have my family record me. My love for acting started very early, my dad would put me in his short films and eventually, my parents put me in a local theatre program. Watching my dad work behind the scenes on his projects and at news stations over the years has fueled my passion for media. Read more>>
Connor Lawrence, Filmatic Music
My name is Connor Lawrence and I release music under the name Filmatic. My story begins with my parents, I wouldn’t be who I am today without them. My mom taught elementary art for over twenty years and I was fortunate enough to be one of her students. My dad was the first person to put a guitar in my hands when I was ten years old. His doing so and showing me a few basic chord shapes enabled me to express my emotions through sounds. Read more>>
